Page 14 - Newsletter_Winter_2020

New Life for Putnam

Hardware Wagon

Reprinted from an article in the Houlton Pioneer Times by permission
By Karen Donato ‘69
Editor’s Note: Several issues ago, Ms. Donato wrote an article about Al and Albert Putnam
presenting the wagon to the Agricultural Museum in hopes that it could be restored and
become a fixture at the museum. The article had lots of pictures of the wagon in its state
of despair. Fortunately, the key components of the wagon were in good shape and damage
was what you would expect for a 100-year old item, This is the follow-up to that article.
Unfortunately, Al passed away before the restoration was complete but I am sure that he
is looking down at this project and is extremely pleased at what he sees and says “Good job
folks” .

Volunteers have restored the Putnam Hardware Wagon donated to the Southern
Aroostook Agricultural Museum. Just a few years ago the late Al Putnam of New
Limerick and his son Albert arrived at the museum in Littleton with a weathered wagon
on the back of a truck. It had been stored away for decades by Putnam, but it was time
to place it at the local museum to share its history.
Although it was well over 100 years old, volunteers Dee Cote and Joe Inman worked to
restore the gem. They engaged others including: Jay Andrews who helped with the axles,
Matthew Johnson for wheel repair and Hines Construction for wood repair. Once the
wooden pieces were refurbished other volunteers added to the project. Larry McCarthy,
a local sign maker brightened up the lettering and museum President, Jamey Watson,
along with Inman meticulously painted many parts of the historical wagon.
The wagon was built between 1885 and ’90 by the Silas W. Taber carriage
manufacturing and blacksmithing company of Houlton. Taber was one of the best
known manufacturers of fine carriages and sleighs in the community. His shop was
located on Mechanic Street.
In 1904, Fred L. Putnam, Al’s grandfather became a partner with Richard L. Turney,
in a hardware store located in Market Square. Then in 1908, Putnam’s brother
Arthur, joined the firm. Upon the death of Mr. Turney, the Putnam Brothers retained
ownership. During this time the horse-drawn wagon was needed to make deliveries with
the signage, “Putnam Hardware Company”. Deliveries were made in Houlton and the
surrounding area.

In 1910, the Putnams began purchasing Gulf Oil Products for Putnam Hardware,
which was in the area of H&R business now. It was there, that the first gasoline tank
in Aroostook County was installed. Gulf gasoline was dispensed from that early pump
and from this small beginning grew a distribution system that supplied all of northern
Maine with Gulf products. After automobiles became popular, wagons were abandoned
or put away in a barn and used only occasionally for family gatherings or a particular
event.

The board of directors at the Ag. Museum are thankful that this wagon was preserved to
some extent and it will be enjoyed by the many visitors at the museum.

This project was funded in part by the Putnam Charitable Trust, members of the Albert
Putnam family, private donors and the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum.
It is now on display in the Carl & Helen Hagan Barn. Visit the museum site:www.
countymuseum.net to learn more about the collection and the local alumni that
volunteer at this facility.

A dedication plaque is also on display with the wagon.
Museum memberships are available and donations and memorials are appreciated. For
more information contact Karen Donato, abcmaine@hotmail.com.

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